The 1974 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1973-74 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. John Havlicek was named NBA Finals MVP.
It was the Celtics' twelfth NBA title, and first accomplished in the post-Bill Russell era.
Using the revised playoff format adopted in 1973, two third-place teams qualified for the playoffs, while the second-place finishers in the Central and Pacific divisions did not. Also, since the top three Western qualifiers were in the Midwest Division, the two divisional champions in the Western Conference played in the conference semifinals.
With a 4–3 series victory over the Pistons in the first round, the Bulls earned their first playoff series victory. In their first eight years of existence, the Bulls made the playoffs seven times.
As a matter of historical curiosity, 3 of the 4 teams in the 1974 Western Conference bracket now reside in the Eastern Conference.
[ - ]

The 1974 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's...
[ + ]

The 1974 NBA Playoffs was the postseason tournament of the National Basketball Association's 1973-74 season. The tournament concluded with the Eastern Conference champion Boston Celtics defeating the Western Conference champion Milwaukee Bucks 4 games to 3 in the NBA Finals. John Havlicek was named NBA Finals MVP.
It was the Celtics' twelfth NBA title, and first accomplished in the post-Bill Russell era.
Using the revised playoff format adopted in 1973, two third-place teams qualified for the playoffs, while the second-place finishers in the Central and Pacific divisions did not. Also, since the top three Western qualifiers were in the Midwest Division, the two divisional champions in the Western Conference played in the conference semifinals.
With a 4–3 series victory over the Pistons in the first round, the Bulls earned their first playoff series victory. In their first eight years of existence, the Bulls made the playoffs seven times.
As a matter of historical curiosity, 3 of the 4 teams in the 1974 Western Conference bracket now reside in the Eastern Conference.